THE SUGAR MOON 45 



with snow on the ground," cried Dick. **Be- 

 sides, if we thought of our friends only at 

 Christmas time, how lonesome the rest of the 

 year would be!" 



Dotty May, hovering over the nest of maple 

 sugar eggs, picked up the large one, thinking 

 of the game, '^ Heavy, heavy hangs over your 

 head!" Just one little nibble, then an- 

 other 



''How could you. Dotty May!" cried Dick, 

 stamping his foot in the snow. 



His eyes flashed, his cheeks were brighter 

 than the flames. 



''She is so little," Nani pleaded, her arms 

 around the small offender; "she did not mean 

 to make you angry, Dick." 



Then he turned upon Nani, and his words 

 rushed out like angry bees. What he said, he 

 did not know, nor could he ever quite recall ; 

 but he saw her protecting arms release their 

 hold, she drooped and faded like a flower that 

 dies. 



"Oh, where is Nanil" wailed Dotty May. 



But only a withered leaf Twirled by. 



